Good morning Wilmington!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Enjoy the beautiful weather today, Wilmington — this warmth won’t last long. Cooler air rolls in fast as we close out the year, so soak it up while you can.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• New Hanover County Launches Free Christmas Tree Recycling Program

• Hallmark Brings Holiday Magic Back to Biltmore for Second Christmas Movie

New Hanover County Launches Free Christmas Tree Recycling Program

WECT New Hanover County is once again offering a free Christmas tree and natural décor recycling program to help reduce holiday waste. In partnership with the county’s Recycling and Solid Waste Department, the City of Wilmington, and local Home Depot stores, residents can drop off real trees, wreaths, and garlands to be mulched and used in composting programs. Officials say the effort helps conserve landfill space and turn holiday leftovers into usable mulch for parks and gardens.

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Hallmark Brings Holiday Magic Back to Biltmore for Second Christmas Movie

WLOS The Biltmore Estate will once again transform into a Hallmark holiday movie set as production begins in January 2026 on a second Christmas film. Following the success of A Biltmore Christmas, the new movie will feature a fresh love story set in the Gilded Age, showcase more of the estate and downtown Asheville locations, and welcome back actor Jonathan Frakes. Leaders say the film will continue to spotlight Western North Carolina and boost tourism as the region recovers.

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News Roundup

Local News

Novant Health is implementing new visitor restrictions across its North Carolina hospitals in response to a surge in respiratory illnesses. Beginning Dec. 30 at 7 a.m., visitors under age 13 will not be allowed except in special circumstances, and the health system is urging the public to stay home when sick, stay current on vaccinations, and seek appropriate care. WECT

More than 500 pounds of seafood worth over $7,700 was stolen from Ray’s Seafood & Produce in Whiteville in a credit card fraud case. The haul included 150 pounds of lobster tail and 400 pounds of shrimp, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the Dec. 23 incident. WECT

What You Should Know

Iran’s president says the country is in “total war” with the United States, Israel and Europe, sharply escalating rhetoric and global tensions. Masoud Pezeshkian accused Western powers of trying to cripple Iran and claimed the nation’s military is stronger now than before recent clashes with Israel. Express

The American Coalition for Ukraine says diplomacy is welcome ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump, but restoring Ukraine’s territorial borders remains non-negotiable. Zelensky plans to discuss security guarantees and a possible demilitarized zone as part of a peace proposal, even as Russian strikes continue in eastern Ukraine, raising concerns about whether such a zone could be enforced. WWAY

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says his administration is aggressively addressing a widening fraud scandal after claims surfaced that millions in taxpayer funds were improperly distributed. Walz cited audits, program shutdowns, investigations, and criminal prosecutions as evidence of oversight efforts, as federal officials warn the alleged misuse of funds—linked to COVID-era aid programs—may be far more extensive than initially believed. Daily Mail

What Might Surprise You

Archaeologists say newly discovered pottery fragments near Turkey’s Mount Ararat may provide fresh evidence of human settlement linked to the era traditionally associated with Noah’s Ark. The finds near the boat-shaped Durupinar Formation date between 5500 BC and 3000 BC, prompting renewed calls to protect the site amid concerns that tourists are removing potentially significant artifacts. Metro

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday - New Year’s Eve